Dry eye is a prevalent condition and one of the main reasons for patients to seek ophthalmic medical care. A low systemic level of omega fatty acids is a risk factor for dry eye disease (DED). There are two groups of essential fatty acids (EFAs): the omega-6 (n-6) family and the omega-3 (n-3) family. Humans evolved on a diet in which the n-6:n-3 ratio was approximately 1:1, however the current Western diet tends to be deficient in n-3 EFAs and this ratio is typically much higher (approaching 17:1). The metabolism of EFAs generates four new families of local acting mediators: lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, and maresins. These molecules have anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution properties. We present a critical overview of animal model studies and human clinical trials that have shown that dietary modification and oral supplementation could be complementary therapeutic strategies for the treatment of dry eye. Furthermore, we discuss preliminary results of the topical application of n-3 and n-6 EFAs because these molecules may act as natural anti-inflammatory agents with positive changes of the entire ocular surface system.

干眼是一种普遍的疾病，是患者寻求眼科医疗的主要原因之一。全身脂肪酸含量低是干眼病（DED）的危险因素。有两组必需脂肪酸（EFA）：omega-6（n-6）家族和omega-3（n-3）家族。人类的饮食习惯是n-6：n-3的比例约为1：1，但是目前的西方饮食中n-3 EFA往往不足，并且该比例通常更高（接近17：1）。EFA的新陈代谢产生了四个新的局部作用介体家族：脂类毒素，RESOLVINS，保护素和Maresins。这些分子具有抗炎和促分解的特性。我们提供了动物模型研究和人类临床试验的重要综述，这些研究表明，饮食改良和口服补充剂可能是治疗干眼症的补充治疗策略。此外，我们讨论了n-3和n-6 EFA局部应用的初步结果，因为这些分子可作为天然消炎剂，整个眼表系统发生积极变化。